🔍

Atherton

QLD 4883 • Rest of QLD

7,724
Population (2021)
$57,148
Median Household Income
94.05 km²
Area
$280/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAffordableFamily-FriendlyScenic

About Atherton

Atherton is a rural town on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, approximately 80 kilometres south-west of Cairns. With a population of 7,724 at the 2021 census, it serves as the commercial hub of the Tablelands Region. Sitting at an elevation of 752 metres, Atherton enjoys a cooler climate than coastal Cairns, with lush green surroundings and rich volcanic soils.

The town offers a full range of services including supermarkets, schools, a hospital, and sporting facilities. The surrounding tablelands are known for dairy farming, maize, and tropical fruit production. Atherton attracts retirees, tree-changers, and families seeking an affordable, relaxed lifestyle with easy access to the World Heritage-listed rainforests and waterfalls of the region.

Atherton falls under postcode 4883 and is governed by Tablelands Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4883
Urban Area
Atherton
LGA / Council
Tablelands
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.27°, 145.48°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
94.05 km²
Elevation
790m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$280
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.4%

127 state housing + 71 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North — Cairns 1 hr 30 min
  • Trans North — Herberton / Ravenshoe 30-45 min
  • Local — Mareeba / Tolga 15-25 min

Commute to Cairns

Distance
80 km
By Bus
1 hr 30 min
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 10 min

🛣️ No rail service; most residents drive via Kennedy Highway to Cairns

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre is walkable with shops and services clustered along the main street, but a car is needed for most activities.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Atherton Shopping Village, 4 Cook Street Atherton 4883 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Tablelands Local Government Area, which contains Atherton. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
1,556.7 / 100k
2yr Up 40.5% 10yr Up 168.9%
Motor vehicle theft
414.2 / 100k
2yr Up 68.5% 10yr Up 154.7%
Non-FV assault
1,156.9 / 100k
2yr Down 12.2% 10yr Up 180.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
35.7 / 100k
2yr Up 62.2% 10yr Up 200.1%
Steal from vehicle
346.3 / 100k
2yr Up 38.8% 10yr Up 30.4%
View all offence categories for Tablelands →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
7,331
Census 2021
7,724
▲ 5.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,456
Personal Income 2021
$33,332
▲ 21.4% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$33,332 / yr
$641/wk
Household
$57,148 / yr
$1099/wk
Family
$77,480 / yr
$1490/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,916
Born Overseas 1,052

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 220
  • 2. New Zealand 150
  • 3. Italy 65
  • 4. Philippines 61
  • 5. Germany 55
  • 6. Papua New Guinea 53
  • 7. India 44
  • 8. United States 40
  • 9. South Africa 29
  • 10. Netherlands 23

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,884
Australian 2,809
Irish 961
Scottish 804
Australian Aboriginal 631
Italian 557
German 443
Dutch 108
Chinese 77
Filipino 71

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,793
Both parents born in Australia
1,304
Both parents born overseas
864
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.3%
No Religion
38.4%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
347 (4.5%)
5-14 years
960 (12.4%)
15-19 years
473 (6.1%)
20-24 years
353 (4.6%)
25-34 years
893 (11.6%)
35-44 years
734 (9.5%)
45-54 years
923 (11.9%)
55-64 years
948 (12.3%)
65-74 years
1,063 (13.8%)
75-84 years
698 (9.0%)
85+ years
334 (4.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Atherton known for? +

Atherton is a rural town on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, approximately 80 kilometres south-west of Cairns. With a population of 7,724 at the 2021 census, it serves as the commercial hub of the Tablelands Region.

How far is Atherton from Brisbane CBD? +

Atherton is approximately 80 km from Cairns. By car, the journey takes around 1 hr 10 min off-peak and 1 hr 15 min during peak hours.

Does Atherton have public transport? +

Atherton is served by bus routes connecting to Cairns, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Atherton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Atherton has a population of approximately 7,724 residents. It is a well-established suburb within the Tablelands (Regional Council).

Is Atherton a good place to live? +

Atherton suits those who value a quiet rural lifestyle with open spaces and natural surroundings. It is ideal for people seeking acreage, farming, or a secluded country retreat, with urban amenities accessible from nearby towns.

What is the postcode for Atherton? +

The postcode for Atherton, QLD is 4883.

What is the average income in Atherton? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Atherton is about $641 per week (around $33,300 per year). The median household income is $1,099 per week and the median family income is $1,490 per week.

What is the age profile of Atherton? +

The median age in Atherton is 46. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,063 residents, around 14%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 27% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Atherton a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Atherton is part of the Tablelands LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Atherton? +

In Atherton, the median weekly rent is $280, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).